another Tube question, tube testers, are they all the same?

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faster100
faster100 Posts: 6,124
edited July 2004 in 2 Channel Audio
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73173&item=3828358187&rd=1

will this tester test St70 tubes?? are they all compatable? I'm trying to learn a bunch all at once here... bare with me.

or what should i look for on the cheap?>
MY HT RIG:
Sherwood p-965
Sherwood sd871 dvd
Rotel 1075 amp x5
LSI15 mains
LsiC center
LSIfx surround backs
Lsi7 side surrounds
SVS pb12/plus2

2 Channel Rig:

nad 1020 Pre-amp
Rotel 1080 stereo amp
Polk sda 2B
kenwood grunt Tuner
realistic lab 450 TT
Signal cable IC
Post edited by faster100 on
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited July 2004
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    I pretty much don't know about tube testers but if you decide to get one, make sure you have a shop calibrate it for you.

    You can tell when a tube is getting weak. It will sound weak, less sparkle, etc.

    Maurice
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,037
    edited July 2004
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    Nope, not all the same. There are two issues:

    1) compatibility with the tubes you want to test. Not sure which "ST-70" you're asking about, but both the Dynaco ST-70 and the EICO ST-70 are 'modern' designs as tube amps go and virtually any modern (i.e., 1960 and later) tester will accommodate the tubes. Sometimes it's more of a problem for 'vintage' amp designs, as the later tube testers won't e.g., accommodate 4-pin tubes like a 45 or a 2A3. I have this problem with my mid-60' Sencore "Mighty-Mite" tester. "Old" testers won't accommodate newer pin layouts (e.g., "compactron" types).

    2) Most cheap tube testers only test for emission, grid leakage and shorts (like my "Mighty Mite"). The best testers will also test "transconductance" which actually tests the performance of the tube with a load on it. The Hickock TV-7 is a classic example. Testers that will test tube transconductance are much preferable IMO.

    If you buy a tester, make sure you get (or can get) a setup chart for it that includes the tubes you want to test.

    Hope this is helpful.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited July 2004
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    hey thanks, you bet... So what about the heathkit testers?? I have seen several, IT17, 25 and Tc-2


    My amp is a Dynakit stereo 70
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,037
    edited July 2004
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    I unfortunately don't know off the top of my head, but probably some or all do. Search for information on these specific testers with Google and look for words like "mutual conductance" or "transconductance" or "mu".

    You can check for manuals for these testers at:
    http://bama.sbc.edu/

    Other good sites for Heathkit info:
    http://www.heathkit-museum.com/
    http://www.qsl.net/kb7rgg/heath/heathkit.html
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